When you’re in need of mental health support, having to deal with how to pay for it can feel like an additional burden. To help remove confusion and stress, here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about how to pay for therapy.
1. How much does therapy cost?
The cost for a therapy session depends on the therapist, where you’re located, the type of therapy, and whether you pay out-of-pocket or have an insurance copay.
Some therapists offer sliding scales, with more affordable options. Others who have a niche specialization or who are located in a high-cost area may charge as much as $250 per session or more.
2. How do I pay for therapy?
There are several ways to pay for therapy:
- Paying out-of-pocket is when you directly pay your therapist with cash, check, or a credit card for the full fee amount without using insurance.
- Sliding scale therapists offer an out-of-pocket price range that depends on your budget and ability to pay, also without using insurance.
- Some therapists provide services pro bono, which means for free. Often, these therapists work for nonprofit counseling centers.
- When using a therapist through insurance, you might pay co-pay, a fixed amount determined by your insurance plan, with the remaining cost covered by your insurance plan.
- Co-insurance is like a co-pay, but instead is a calculated percentage of the therapist’s fee. You pay one part of the fee, and your insurance pays the remaining percentage.
- HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) programs are tax-advantaged accounts that allow individuals to set aside pre-tax money for eligible medical expenses, such as psychotherapy. You can use the fees in these accounts to pay co-pays, co-insurance, or any cash fees.
With our matching survey, Mental Health Match can match you with a therapist who meets your budget.
3. Will my insurance cover therapy?
Most insurance healthcare plans cover mental health services, but you need to check with your health insurance provider for the details of coverage.
Sometimes, all you may have to pay is a copay. Other times, you may have limits on the number of sessions you can have in a year. Some insurers require a mental health diagnosis (such as depression or anxiety) before they cover therapy. To find out your insurance coverage, review your benefits under “outpatient mental health.”
Mental Health Match has many therapists who accept insurance and can match you to therapists that take your insurance plan.
Mental Health Match includes therapists who take:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- Molina
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- United Healthcare
- Most all other major carriers
4. How is therapy billed to my insurance?
When going through insurance for mental health services, typically, your therapist or counselor will bill your insurance for you. You will then pay co-insurance or a copay. Your therapist should confirm with you about your coverage before or during your first visit. In some instances, you may need to pay out-of-pocket first and then be reimbursed by your insurer using the superbill provided to you by your therapist.
Sometimes, mental health care is treated separately than other health care and is not subject to a deductible. Other times, your mental health coverage might not take effect until after you meet your annual deductible. If you have specific questions about billing, contact your insurer for more information.
5. What is a superbill?
A superbill is an itemized invoice that details the services you received for treatment. When your mental health counselor is an “out-of-network” provider with your health insurance, they may need to use this form. This form documents your treatment, and can be used by you to create a claim for reimbursement. You will have to submit this form to your health insurer on your own.
Even if a therapist issues you a superbill, your insurer might not provide a reimbursement; it depends on your outpatient mental health coverage, your in and out-of-network deductibles, as well as what insurance networks your therapist is a part of.
